“He will oversee the work of the agency,” said Bruce Rodrigues, CEO of EQAO.

“I certainly oversee the day-to-day organizational work, as CEO. But I report directly to the board … He’d be responsible for reporting to the Minister and the government, in terms of the work that we do.”

Cooke, 62, is expected to take the position in March, once the Standing Committee on Government Agencies has reviewed the appointment. He’ll replace outgoing chair Brian Desbiens.

The EQAO is an arms-length agency of the provincial government that administers large-scale testing of Ontario students’ abilities in reading, writing and math.

The data is meant to “provide accountability and a gauge of quality in Ontario’s publicly funded education system.”

Cooke has been a supporter of provincewide standardized testing dating back to his time as MPP.

From 1977 to 1997, Cooke represented the riding of what was then called Windsor-Riverside as a member of the Ontario New Democrat Party.

One of Cooke’s cabinet posts was Minister of Education and Training. During his time in that role (from 1993 to 1995), the provincial government formed the Royal Commission on Learning, which eventually led to establishment of the EQAO.

“We’re certainly happy about him assuming the role of chair,” Rodrigues said. “He’s been with the EQAO board since 2008, and has made valuable contributions during his time with us.”

The EQAO annually assesses Ontario public school students in Grades 3, 6, 9 and 10.

The Liberal government has stated that its goal is to have 75 per cent of students in Grades 3 and 6 meet provincial standards. Latest scores show the current level of progress at 72 per cent — an improvement of 18 per cent over the past 12 years.

In the time since Cooke’s days at Queen’s Park, he has served as chair of the University of Windsor’s board of governors, as chair of the Erie-St. Clair Local Health Integration Network, and a member of the Windsor-Essex Development Corporation board.

Cooke has also remained an unabashedly outspoken public figure, from involvement in municipal affairs to offering commentary on province-wide issues.

]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/former-windsor-mpp-dave-cooke-named-for-education-testing-position/feed0Dave Cooke, former Windsor-Riverside MPP, is shown in this 2012 file photo. (Jason Kryk / The Windsor Star)winstarchenFormer MPP and Education Minister Dave Cooke in a 2012 file photo. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)Former Windsor-Riverside MPP Dave Cooke in a 2012 file photo. (Tyler Brownbridge / The Windsor Star)Ministry offers grant to displaced Everest College studentshttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/ministry-pledges-to-help-displaced-everest-college-students
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/ministry-pledges-to-help-displaced-everest-college-students#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 22:15:58 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=445587]]>Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities says it is providing some much needed help to the hundreds of students across the province left in the lurch by the sudden suspension of Everest College.

According to the provincial government, the debt of affected students will be limited due to the offering of an Ontario Student Opportunity Grant — even to students who have applied for a refund.

As well, repayment timelines on affected students’ OSAP loans will be extended.

By the ministry’s calculations, the measures mean no Everest College student should have OSAP debt greater than $7,300 for the past two-term year, or $10,950 if it was a three-term year — no matter how much was borrowed.

“The Superintendent (of Private Career Colleges) and Ministry staff will do everything they can to facilitate training completions,” said Reza Moridi, Ontario’s minister of TCU.

For students who were particularly close to graduation when all Everest campuses in Canada closed their doors last week — the ministry has been reaching out to determine how to best salvage those educations.

Everest had several programs — among them cardiology tech, dental assistant, massage therapy and paralegal — that required accreditation. The ministry has contacted the regulatory bodies of those occupations.

“We are working to ensure that affected students will not need to restart their learning. There is a process in place to ensure that prior training received by students at Everest will be recognized towards the completion of their credentials,” Moridi said.

Ministry staff have collected the records of 2,338 students from Everest College’s 14 Canadian campuses, including the Windsor location at 875 Ouellette Ave. More than 40 information sessions have been held.

As of Thursday morning, the ministry has received 960 emails and conducted 171 counselling sessions via the TCU hotline.

Also received were 1,098 student claim forms for completion of training or tuition refunds.

The ministry’s hotline number was recently changed. Everest students with questions about their personal situations are now encouraged to call 1-888-449-4478 or email TCAF-TCU@ontario.ca.

On Feb. 20, Everest Colleges Canada, Inc. announced that it had filed for bankruptcy protection. The company blamed the ministry for “abrupt actions” that left the private career college “extremely disappointed.”

The college’s estimated 2,450 students and 450 employees across Ontario were thrown into confusion on Feb. 19 when Carol Strachan, the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges, suspended Everest’s licence to operate.

The ministry has said the suspension was necessary to protect student interests: Strachan stated that she could no longer expect Everest College to be financially responsible in its operations.

Corinthians College, Everest’s parent company in the U.S., has been subject to numerous controversies, including a lawsuit by the State of California, a federal investigation, and the selling off of 85 campuses.

Find Windsor Star on Facebook]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/ministry-pledges-to-help-displaced-everest-college-students/feed0A sign at Everest College's Ouellette Avenue campus in Windsor on Feb. 19, 2015. (Jason Kryk / The Windsor Star)winstarchenPatti France named new president of St. Clair College in Windsorhttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/patricia-france-named-new-president-of-st-clair-college-in-windsor
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/patricia-france-named-new-president-of-st-clair-college-in-windsor#commentsThu, 26 Feb 2015 15:40:12 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=445389]]>Groundbreaking. A first.

That’s how faculty, students and staff greeted the news Thursday that the “people’s choice” — Patti France — was to become the next president of St. Clair College.

The Riverside Secondary School graduate is the first female and first St. Clair graduate to become president along with becoming the first internal appointee to the post.

France begins her new job Sept. 1.

“Start here and you can go anywhere,” said France of the message her appointment sends.

“It’s a little overwhelming. I certainly didn’t think that I’d be here 25 years ago.

“It’s exciting and a little scary at the same time.”

John Strasser (left) and Dan Wilson congratulate Patricia France (right) during the announcement that she will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Having already received unanimous approval from the board of governors as the next president of St. Clair College, France got the endorsement that means the most to her when the faculty, students and staff in attendance at the Sportsplex jumped to their feet in rapturous applause at the revelation of her selection.

Afterwards her popularity was re-enforced as a long line formed to shake her hand or give her a congratulatory hug on becoming the college’s sixth president.

Fitting for a woman who likes fast snowmobiles, France welcomes the challenge of carrying so many firsts into her new job.

“I hope it serves as an opportunity for women to look at themselves and see they can be at an executive-level position,” said France, who has served as senior vice-president the last four years.

“I certainly don’t feel any more pressure. I hope to serve as a role model.”

The 48-year-old seems to have already achieved that judging by the reaction to her appointment.

Vince Marcotte, chair of the college’s board of governors, said 13 people were interviewed with two men and two women eventually forming the final short list.

“Her ability to get things done,” said Marcotte of the skill that impressed the board the most.

“She’s very heavy on details.

“She has great contacts in Toronto (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities) and she has the ability to bring people together.”

Patricia France talks with John Fairley during the announcement that Patricia France will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Veronique Mandal, co-ordinator of the journalism, media convergence and public relations program, called the appointment a “historic day for the college for more than just one reason.

“She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” Mandal said.

“She has extraordinary leadership talent. People trust her.

“The thing that sets Patti apart is she can make difficult decisions, but she has this kindness in her in doing it.”

France admits she has big shoes to fill in replacing retiring president John Strasser.

However, she feels her unique journey to the college’s presidency has given her valuable experience.

“I came here (at 19) to take the secretarial/office administration program and they offered me a part-time position in the registrar’s office checking transcripts instead,” said France, who earned a diploma in computer science at the college before getting bachelor (Brock) and masters’ degrees in education (St. Francis Xavier).

“Other than a manager’s position, president is the only other job I’ve applied for. The other moves up were promotions.”

Patricia France smiles during the announcement that she will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, February 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

France feels her climb from the grassroots to the penthouse at St. Clair gives her a unique perspective that sometimes can be overlooked by senior administration.

She still meets informally with students for breakfast to get the pulse of the college.

“Having been involved in just about everything here I hope will remind me of my roots,” said France, who is married with a 24-year-old son and a home in South Woodslee.

“I never want to lose that.”

France said her first priorities are improving academics, getting the accreditation for more degree-granting programs, building community connections and continuing discussions with the University of Windsor on working together on more projects including downtown.

Find Windsor Star on Facebook]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/patricia-france-named-new-president-of-st-clair-college-in-windsor/feed0Patricia France smiles during the announcement that she will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, February 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)winstarwaddellJohn Strasser (left) and Dan Wilson congratulate Patricia France (right) during the announcement that she will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)Patricia France talks with John Fairley during the announcement that Patricia France will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)Patricia France smiles during the announcement that she will replace John Strasser as president of St. Clair College during a press conference at St. Clair College in Windsor on Thursday, February 26, 2015. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)French-language, Catholic school board’s ad campaign ruffles feathershttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/french-language-catholic-school-boards-ad-campaign-ruffles-feathers
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/french-language-catholic-school-boards-ad-campaign-ruffles-feathers#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 22:23:22 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=445016]]>In the battle to attract a diminishing number of students, Ontario’s French Catholic school boards have gone on the offensive with an ad campaign that other educators are saying infers its programs are superior to those at French immersion schools.

But Joseph Picard, director of education for the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence in Southwestern Ontario, says the main goal of the ads and information sessions is to hang onto the students it already has as they enter high school.

The board’s Myth or Reality campaign points out that “immersion programs are offered in English-language schools whereas the French-language Catholic school adopts a curriculum offered entirely in French. School activities are conducted in French, whereas in immersion schools the amount of French that is used decreases at various levels of study.”

Picard said his board was losing 45 per cent of its elementary students after Grade 8 graduation.

“That’s the driving force behind this. It’s not a campaign targeting French immersion students,” he said.

The French Catholic board has 6,039 students in its 13 elementary schools and 991 in its two secondary institutions in Windsor and Essex County.

However the ads, which appear on the board’s website, radio, social media and outdoor billboards, have not gone unnoticed at the other local school boards.

There’s a perspective that commenting on another board’s programs is getting into questionable territory.

Windsor-Essex Catholic District Board director of education Paul Picard, brother of Joseph Picard, admits to have been taken aback the first time he saw the ads.

“I’d have more problem with it if it was one local board targeting the others, but this is a provincial campaign they’re caught in,” Paul Picard said.

“I wouldn’t go down that road (with our board). I’m not going to enter into a campaign that could be perceived to question the effectiveness of another board. I’m sure the other local boards feel the same way.”

Clara Howitt, a superintendent of education for the Greater Essex County District School Board who oversees French Immersion, also took the high road.

“I’m not going to get into a situation where I denigrate another board,” Howitt said.

“I believe all schools are good in Ontario. Speaking as a parent, I have two daughters in French immersion. They love it. They love learning about the French culture and their overall learning has been enhanced.”

Joseph Picard said the driving force behind the campaign was to address misinformation such as attending French-language high school would limit post-secondary choices or that there were fewer scholarships available for students.

A secondary goal of the campaign was to raise the board’s profile in the community.

“We needed to get out the message of exactly who we are,” Picard said.

“If that’s been perceived that in some way French immersion is inferior, that’s not been our intention at all. It’s not aimed at recruiting students from other boards.”

Picard added the decision to repeat the campaign came after the board saw an improvement in its retention rate of just over three per cent last year. It’s expected that figure will be even better locally this year.

While area boards have generally attempted to play nice while still scrapping over the diminishing pool of students, there’s no attempt to conceal there’s real competition going on in the education arena.

The growing popularity of French-language education has merely served to open a new front for competition.

“Declining enrolment does that,” Paul Picard said. “Funding comes based on enrolment. It would be disingenuous of anyone to suggest we don’t compete.”

John Fairley, the college’s vice president of college and community relations, tweeted the announcement would be made at 10 a.m. during a town hall meeting at the SportsPlex.

John Strasser, the college’s fifth president, will retire at the end of August after presiding over the college for 15 years.

Find Windsor Star on Facebook]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/st-clair-college-to-announce-next-president-tomorrow/feed0Files: St. Clair College president John Strasser stands in the Centre for Excellence hallway. (Windsor Star files)starcitydeskDeal with public school board gives AKO Fraternity control of Windsor Stadiumhttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/deal-with-public-school-board-gives-ako-fraternity-control-of-windsor-stadium
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/deal-with-public-school-board-gives-ako-fraternity-control-of-windsor-stadium#commentsWed, 25 Feb 2015 03:04:07 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=444398]]>Having had so much of its history written on the field at Windsor Stadium, the AKO Fraternity is now responsible for the facility’s future.

AKO and the Greater Essex County District School Board completed two years of negotiations by formally signing an agreement Tuesday that turns over the operations, maintenance and future improvements of the stadium to the fraternity.

“This is really getting back to our core mission of supporting youth sports since 1929,” said John Zucchet, chair of the AKO board of governors. “We needed a venue to do that.

“We want to make it a destination not just for football and sports, but for musical and cultural groups.”

John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Alan Halberstadt (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

The agreement runs 20 years with an option for renewal. The GECDSB will retain ownership of the facility, which has been home to the Fratmen junior football team for more than six decades.

From the school board’s perspective, the agreement helps off-load the costs of an aging facility.

It cost the board $40,000 to maintain and operate the stadium last year.

“It’s a huge cost savings for us,” said Al Cook, GECDSB’s manger of facility services. “We can use that money on other facilities.

“Hopefully the stadium can now be expanded and upgraded.”

As part of the agreement, school events will retain priority in any scheduling conflicts. The stadium still serves as Kennedy Collegiate’s home turf for its football and soccer programs and is the main site for WECSSAA football.

John Zucchet speaks during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

However, before any events can be scheduled, Zucchet said the stadium’s infrastructure needs upgrading.

“We’re going to try really hard to have artificial turf in place for the fall,” Zucchet said. “Right now, the field is just not playable.”

In addition to a new field, Phase 1 will see the light standards moved away from the field where they posed a safety hazard. The track will be removed and the stands on both sides of the field will undergo renovation with the addition of new dressing rooms.

AKO is hoping much of that work can begin next year.

Zucchet wouldn’t give an exact price of the overall plans, which have already been drawn up, but said the cost would be in the millions.

The next step is having discussions with city officials to outline plans. Zucchet said AKO won’t be asking for any financial backing from the city or school board.

John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Erin Kelly (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

“Funding is something we feel is achievable because it’s Windsor Stadium and the history surrounding it will result in the community responding,” Zucchet said. “So many people laughed, cried, sweated and shed blood on that field. I think the place touches a chord with people.”

However, AKO isn’t just counting on sentimentality to shake loose donations.

The fraternity has put together a respected fundraising team to approach corporate donors, AKO’s prominent alumni and the community.

Zucchet said the changes to the stadium are expected to make it more attractive to a variety of groups.

“We’ve had contact with some musical, dramatic and other cultural groups,” Zucchet said.

“We’d love to see it go back to the days when huge festivals like Emancipation Day, Labour Day and Firemen’s Field Day were held right here. We could host festivals like Carousel of Nations or Epicure here now.”

John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Alan Halberstadt (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Alan Halberstadt (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

John Zucchet speaks during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Find Windsor Star on Facebook]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/deal-with-public-school-board-gives-ako-fraternity-control-of-windsor-stadium/feed0John Zucchet speaks during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)winstarwaddellJohn Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Alan Halberstadt (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)John Zucchet speaks during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Erin Kelly (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Alan Halberstadt (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)John Zucchet, Darren Cocchetto and Alan Halberstadt (left to right) sign a contract during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)John Zucchet speaks during a press conference in which the school board handed over control of Windsor Stadium to the AKO Fratmen organization at Hon. W.C.Kennedy Collegiate Institute in Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015. AKO will run the stadium and is looking to make some major upgrades. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)University of Windsor launches sexual assault resource page, working on new policyhttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/university-launches-sexual-assault-resource-page-working-on-new-policy
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/university-launches-sexual-assault-resource-page-working-on-new-policy#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 22:25:19 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=443849]]>The University of Windsor is taking steps to reduce sexual assaults on its campus and provide support to victims.

Over the past year, the university was one of several in Canada to be highlighted for lacking a standalone sexual assault policy and adequate reporting methods, said Farah El-Hajj.

El-Hajj, a third-year political science student, said she’s been advocating for better resources on campus after learning the University of Windsor only had about four official reports of sexual assault over the past two years.

“Students don’t feel safe reporting sexual assault. They don’t trust the administration to support them,” El-Hajj said, who was elected a University of Windsor Students’ Alliance senator. She sits on the committee working to develop a sexual assault policy.

“Sexual violence and rape culture definitely exists on our campus and it’s important that we combat that just like any other university across Ontario,” she said.

The resource website offers a list of places students can go if they need support on or off campus and outlines misconceptions about sexual assault. It also lists ways people can help friends or colleagues who disclose they’ve been assaulted.

Alan Wildeman, president of the university, said he is committed to changing the university’s culture. He said the university’s bystander initiative has trained more than 1,000 students to know how and when to intervene if they witness sexual assault.

“The whole idea of the resource page is that there’s a far greater number of sexual assaults that occur that we don’t hear about, are not reported,” he said. “And by having it much easier for people to be able to find resources to get help, we can perhaps start to have an impact on that.”

Wildeman said the university does have policies that deal with sexual assault, including documents on acceptable behaviour and workplace harassment. The new policy will deal exclusively with sexual assault.

Dusty Johnstone, a women’s studies professor at the university, said research suggests that about one in four students will experience sexual assault during their time at the University of Windsor. She said experts consider a standalone policy an invaluable tool, but only if that policy outlines good practices.

She said it’s sometimes taken for granted that people know the definition of sexual assault; it can include rape, cyber-stalking, unwelcome remarks about appearance, sexual or vulgar comments, inappropriate touching, and even displaying pornographic or suggestive posters in shared space.

“It’s about setting expectations for the behaviour, the conduct we expect from our students and following up with what are our commitments to this issue,” Johnstone said.

Lydia Fiorini, executive director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, said there has also been discussion of opening a satellite crisis centre on campus, similar to those in the county.

Farah said that’s an idea being pushed by student advocates who want a safe space for victims to share their experiences.

“I feel like sometimes administration doesn’t take their cases seriously and that’s frightening for students,” she said. “The most important part is that students feel safe enough to make these reports if they chose to. That environment needs to exist before the policy is successful or not.”

]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/university-launches-sexual-assault-resource-page-working-on-new-policy/feed0Sexual Assault PolicycarolynethompsonNew sex education curriculum not as racy as some expectedhttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/new-sex-education-curriculum-not-as-racy-as-some-expected
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/new-sex-education-curriculum-not-as-racy-as-some-expected#commentsMon, 23 Feb 2015 23:26:35 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=443980]]>If parents think Ontario’s new sex education curriculum released Monday is the Ministry of Education’s version of Fifty Shades of Grey, they are putting themselves through needless worry, say those who’ve seen the changes.

“Once people see it and it’s not all that different, they’ll think what was all that big brouhaha about,” said Katrina Elchami, chair of the Greater Essex County School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee.

“I think parents are scared of the unknown. This time around, the government did a great deal of consultation.”

The new curriculum is mandatory and will be introduced in all of the province’s school boards this September.

Elchami said she was one of the more than 6,000 people the provincial government surveyed in updating a curriculum that hadn’t been changed since 1998. She said she’s received no negative feedback about the new curriculum.

“I think it needed to be updated to reflect the population of the province and what’s currently going on,” Elchami said.

“We didn’t have sexting in my day and the Internet programs change every few weeks. Just when you get onto something, the kids are into something else and telling you that was so yesterday.”

The curriculum is based on the same one that was withdrawn by then premier Dalton McGuinty in 2010 after criticism from some parents’ groups and religious organizations.

However, the government appears to have avoided most of those land mines this time around.

“The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario and the Institute for Catholic Education have issued statements saying the new curriculum reflects the tenents of the Catholic faith,” said Cathy Geml, associate director of education for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.

“I think they’ve produced a document that meets the needs for all of us.”

Jason Lazarus, chair of the parents’ involvement committee for the Catholic board, admitted there was a lot of concern from parents on what might be coming.

“Based on what I’ve read, it seems those concerns might not have been justified,” Lazarus said.

“I would dare say, parents may even approve of this.

“As a father of two girls aged nine and five, I appreciate the language in there addressing healthy relationships and establishing boundaries.

“I like the use of the words values and personal limits, the discussions about delaying sexual activity, abstinence and moral considerations.”

Lazarus added he’s pleased to see many of the initiatives the WECDSB had started on its own in recent years now part of the provincial curriculum.

“I think schools definitely have a role that’s as important as parents on this,” Lazarus said.

Erin Kelly, director of education for the Greater Essex County District School Board, agreed the curriculum was long overdue for an update.

She said the new document is more about plugging the holes in the old curriculum created by the rapid expansion of the digital age. It also reflects the fact that children are reaching puberty younger than before.

“It’s important the curriculum is current, relevant and age appropriated to help students make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” Kelly said.

The Ministry of Education will begin regional training of teachers in May.

On the same day Everest College filed for bankruptcy protection following the closure of its Windsor campus as well as the 13 other Ontario locations, an Ottawa lawyer says he’s considering a class-action lawsuit against the school and its California-based parent company.

Michael Crystal with Ottawa’s Spiteri and Ursulak law firm said he’s been in contact with several students since the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities suspended the career college’s registration in the province.

Ottawa attorney, Michael Crystal. (Postmedia News files)

“(Students) should have been advised that there could be complications in completing their year,” Crystal said. “It sounds like a number of them were caught off-guard and were about to graduate.”

Crystal said many of the students affected are single mothers who took out loans to pay for school and paid for their children to attend daycare while they completed their education.

As Crystal investigated the impact of the school closure on potential clients, Everest College’s parent company, Corinthian Colleges, said in a statement they were forced to file for bankruptcy protection when the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities suspended its registration.

“We are extremely disappointed that the ministry has taken these abrupt actions,” Jack Massimino, the chairman and CEO of Corinthian Colleges, said in a statement. “Our Canadian subsidiary had been working with the ministry for an extended period of time with the goal of achieving a satisfactory outcome for students, employees and other stakeholders in Canada.”

Corinthian Colleges said Everest College had around 2,450 students and 450 employees in Ontario at the time the campuses were closed.

Shocked students gathered outside the Windsor campus on Thursday, struggling to understand what happened.

“I work part-time, I work midnights. I have a family. I killed myself for a year with a 95 GPA,” 43-year-old Lesley Ceshan, a medical lab assistant/technician student, told The Star on Thursday. “This is ridiculous. We worked so hard.”

Students were told they might get only a partial refund of their tuition, which would make it almost impossible for many to switch to another school.

Everest College was looking for a new owner last July after its parent, Corinthian Colleges, said it planned to sell or close all Ontario campuses.

The company previously came under scrutiny when allegations that Corinthian Colleges falsified job-placement data in marketing claims led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, which resulted in financial strains when federal funds were withheld.

Corinthian Colleges then agreed to close about a dozen campuses in the U.S. and place the rest up for sale.

]]>http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/ottawa-lawyer-considers-class-action-lawsuit-against-everest-college/feed0Everest College's logo.postmedianewswsOttawa attorney, Michael Crystal. (Postmedia News files)Everest College’s license suspended; Hundreds of students affectedhttp://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/province-suspends-everest-colleges-license-hundreds-of-windsor-students-affected
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/province-suspends-everest-colleges-license-hundreds-of-windsor-students-affected#commentsThu, 19 Feb 2015 23:00:11 +0000http://blogs.windsorstar.com/?p=442257]]>Everest College can no longer operate its 14 locations across Ontario — including here in Windsor — due to the immediate suspension of its license as a private career college.

Hundreds of students and staff across the province were dismayed to learn of the news on Thursday morning.

Classes and sessions for all programs were cancelled. An information meeting was held for Windsor students at the college’s 875 Ouellette Ave. campus that afternoon.

“We came here to better ourselves. Now we’re stuck in a situation — we don’t really know what to do,” said Bobby Knight, a 25-year-old student in the personal support worker program.

Students who attended the meeting said there was swearing and heated comments from the crowd.

One of Knight’s classmates, 27-year-old Amanda Hunter, found herself both crying and shouting in the hallway. She demanded to know why there wasn’t more warning from Everest or the province. “This doesn’t just happen overnight.”

Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, said he was saddened by the news. “Our government is committed to helping impacted students and staff and supporting them through this difficult time.”

Morizi said the Superintendent of PCCs has the authority to make the decision, and it was done “with the best interests of students in mind.”

“Our government introduced this legislation in order to improve student protection, oversight and quality assurance in the sector,” Morizi said.

But a representative for Everest said the college — like students and staff — only learned of the decision on Thursday morning.

“This came as a surprise to us as we have been working with the Ministry for the past several weeks and months to determine our best path forward,” said Joe Hixson, a spokesman for Everest.

“We are working with the Ministry to determine our next steps and will update all concerned parties as we gain more information.”

Asked what assurances Everest College can offer regarding refunds of tuition and transference of credits, Hixson said the college can’t make definitive statements about those matters at this time.

Everest College students in Windsor gather for an information meeting on the Ouellette Avenue campus on Feb. 19, 2015. (Jason Kryk / The Windsor Star)

Lesley Ceshan, a 43-year-old student in Everest’s medical lab assistant/technician program, was only a week away from completion. She was doing her practicum — practical application in a work placement — when she was called to campus for Thursday’s meeting.

“I work part-time … I work midnights. I have a family. I killed myself for a year with a 95 GPA,” Ceshan lamented. “This is ridiculous. We worked so hard.”

Lukmon Ashimolowo, a 33-year-old student in the personal support worker program, was shocked by Thursday’s events.

“I’m supposed to finish in three weeks’ time,” he said in amazement. “We were expecting to write our national exam in March.”

Paige Cadieux, 22, said she started the early childhood assistant program just two weeks ago. “They were accepting people yesterday,” she said with exasperation.

Everest College’s for-profit parent corporation, Corinthian Colleges, Inc., has been subject to numerous controversies in the U.S. — including the selling off of 85 campuses, a lawsuit launched by the State of California, and a federal investigation.

The corporation announced last summer that it was trying to sell all of its Canadian properties.

A July 2014 statement on Everest College’s Windsor website warns students about the potential sale, as well as the potential that “enforcement action” by the college’s accreditor could “negatively impact our ability to operate this school and your ability to complete your program at this school as expected.”

“If you choose to attend another institution, the credits you have earned at this school may not transfer to another school.”

Everest College’s logo.

St. Clair College spokesman John Fairley said SCC sympathizes with and wants to help Everest students. “Nobody saw this coming,” he noted.

Any Everest student affected by the license suspension is invited to visit St. Clair College’s main campus (2000 Talbot Rd. West) on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a mutual information-sharing session in the cafeteria.

“We’re going to have people from our Registrar’s Office, as well as our Continuing Education people,” Fairley said.

“We want to see what people are up against, what we can do to help them, and maybe we can put a strategy together here.”

Everest students are also invited to call St. Clair College at 519-972-2759.